World Bank gets Marcelo vs graft

WASHINGTON – The World Bank has appointed former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and three others to a new anti-corruption advisory body.

Appointed with Marcelo to the WB’s new Independent Advisory Board were former Australian Treasurer Peter Costello, former US diplomat and scholar Chester Crocker, and Swiss jurist Mark Pieth.

IAB’s task is to provide advice on anti-corruption measures.

The appointments were made upon the recommendation of the World Bank’s Department of Institutional Integrity (INT), led by former US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker. 

Marcelo resigned as Ombudsman in September 2005 citing poor health. But observers said he quit as Ombudsman following pressures from Malacañang, which had allegedly wanted him to go easy on top officials involved in corruption. Marcelo had also figured prominently in the prosecution and conviction of former President Joseph Estrada for plunder. President Arroyo later granted Estrada executive clemency.

Costello was Australia’s Treasurer from 1996 to 2007 and chaired the APEC and G-20 Group of Finance Ministers, while Crocker was US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 1981-89 and also chaired the board of the United States Institute of Peace. Pieth chairs the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions and is a professor at Basle University.

“These four individuals each have a distinguished record as public servants and will help ensure the World Bank Group makes every dollar count to overcome poverty,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick.

The IAB aims to protect the independence and strengthen the accountability of INT by giving advice on policies and procedures and on the department’s interactions within the World Bank Group. 

“The World Bank Group is taking the fight against corruption to the next level. While INT has the critical job of investigation, it is only through strong coordination across the entire institution, combined with clear dedication from our partner countries, that we will be able to deal with the problem in a progressive and effective manner,” Leonard McCarthy, Integrity Vice President for the World Bank, said.